Brothers take a gamble, open new restaurant in Portland's Old Port

The North Point opened Wednesday

UPDATED 12:00 AM EST Feb 23, 2013

PORTLAND, Maine -

A new wine bar in Portland has foodies and wine lovers rejoicing: The North Point opened Wednesday on Silver Street in the Old Port.

Owners and brothers Dan and Noah Talmatch said they’ve signed a 20-year lease at the location. Noah, who has worked in the food and beverage industry for more than three decades, said it’s a gamble, but one he’s willing to bet on.

“I gambled on Portland and I’d say I’m the house and the house is favored because Portland has all the elements you need to make a successful place,” Noah said. “In New York, I lost my passion for restaurants because of the stress and the rat race. Here I found my passion again. It’s a good way of life; it’s a quality way of life.”

The brothers decided to move to Portland and become partners after their younger brother, Ezra, died unexpectedly last year.

“After my little brother’s death, we decided we wanted to find something, to get back together, do something together and this was the spot, this was the way to do it,” Dan said.

For Noah, that meant moving from New York where he’s worked in and owned multiple restaurants. For Dan, it meant moving from Norway, the country. Both said the change has helped them heal and become closer to one another.

“Working together was a great process, it was kind of a healing process and (Ezra’s) artwork is all over the walls, my photographs are all over the walls and Danny’s handiwork is everywhere,” Noah said. “If you’re going to have a partner, you want someone you love and someone you trust and in Danny, I have both of those things.”

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